Bayard Group Launches New Global Leader in Energy Management; Unifies Operating Companies Under Powerful Landis+Gyr Name

Bayard Group Pty Ltd. today announced it is creating the new leader in energy management by uniting its family of green technology companies under one global brand, Landis+Gyr, a name synonymous with technological innovation in energy measurement for more than a century.

The new Landis+Gyr – with over 5,000 employees and operations in 30 countries across five continents – reinforces the Company’s commitment to provide utilities with end-to-end, advanced metering solutions that are empowering the next generation of smart grid – driving better environmental results for utilities, consumers and society.

"We live in an era of skyrocketing energy costs and unrelenting consumption, yet energy production is not keeping up and much is lost through an aging grid infrastructure,” said Cameron O’Reilly, who founded Bayard and retains the role of Chief Executive Officer of Landis+Gyr. “Energy conservation is crucial. And it must be supported by sophisticated, technologically-advanced management systems critical to meeting energy demand while reducing cost and improving the environment.”

Mr. O’Reilly added: "The unification of Bayard and its subsidiaries into one powerful global business reinforces our mission to help utilities and their customers manage energy better."

As part of today’s announcement, Bayard Group itself will be renamed Landis+Gyr Holdings and its subsidiaries Landis+Gyr, Cellnet+Hunt, Ampy Metering, Ampy+Email and Enermet, will adopt the Landis+Gyr name as their exclusive operating brand.

The new Landis+Gyr today ranks as the worldwide leader in electricity metering with a preeminent position in advanced or “smart metering” systems – an essential component in global efforts to upgrade energy distribution systems and enable power to be distributed more efficiently and reliably. Smart metering provides utilities with a two-way flow of data required to manage energy use, efficiency, demand response and network protection. Customers benefit from lower energy costs, and, crucially, a reduced carbon footprint.

In addition to Mr. O’Reilly, the management team is lead by Andreas Umbach and Andreas Spreiter, who elevate to the roles of President and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Landis+Gyr Holdings respectively. The Company will keep its global operating headquarters in Zug, Switzerland and will open an office in New York City to reflect its commitment to the U.S. market, which accounts for more than a third of its global business.

“Landis+Gyr has been a trusted partner to utilities for more than a century, justifiably earning a reputation for quality, innovation and a broad array of product and services,” Mr. Umbach said. “The decision to extend this brand equity across the group companies seemed natural, and the best means to reflect the values and vision of the unified company.”

In order to best serve the needs of the market, Landis+Gyr in the U.S. will organize under two divisions – Energy Measurement Products and Energy Management Solutions. This ensures Landis+Gyr’s continued ability to sell both integrated solutions and individual products, tailored to the needs of customers and partners.

Landis+Gyr will continue to execute the vision that the Bayard Group laid out in 2002, dedicated to building businesses that provide energy management solutions aimed at increasing energy conservation, cutting consumer bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting the need to build more power plants.

Affirmation of the Company’s shift to global integration is visible in its recent AMM/AMI (Automated Meter Management/Advanced Metering Infrastructure) deals in the U.S., Canada, Finland, Sweden and Brazil and in its exceptional growth, capped by USD1.25 billion in annualized sales in 2007.

Today, Landis+Gyr offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry including integrated AMM/AMI solutions, communication systems and software, meters, meter data management, services and financing. The Company also has an industry-leading commitment to research and development with more than 600 full-time professionals in this area.

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Executive Biographies

Cameron O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. O’Reilly has been Chief Executive Officer of Bayard Group (to be renamed Landis+Gyr Holdings) since 2002. During that time, the group has invested US$1.3 billion bringing together 14 acquisitions and investments to build the world’s preeminent smart metering company. Prior to establishing Bayard Group, Mr. O’Reilly was Chief Executive of APN News and Media Limited. During his 12 years with APN, more than 8 of which were as CEO or Deputy CEO, Mr. O’Reilly helped build APN from a domestic regional newspaper company into an international multi-media business with more than 30 acquisitions and industry-leading earnings growth.

Andreas Umbach, President & Chief Operating Officer
Prior to the Bayard Group’s brand integration and realignment, Mr. Umbach was the Chief Executive of Landis+Gyr AG. During his 9-year tenure with the company, Mr. Umbach oversaw the successful acquisition and integration of Cellnet Technologies, Hunt Technologies, Statsignal and Enermet. Mr. Umbach was also instrumental in steering Landis+Gyr through its sale from Siemens to private equity firm KKR, and then later to Bayard. Before joining Landis+Gyr, Mr. Umbach held senior executive positions with Siemens.

Andreas Spreiter, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Spreiter assumes the role of Chief Financial Officer for the new Landis+Gyr Holdings, a position he held with Landis+Gyr AG for the past 6 years. Mr. Spreiter was also instrumental in steering Landis+Gyr through its sale from Siemens to private equity firm KKR, and then later to Bayard. While at Landis+Gyr, Mr. Spreiter was responsible for the accounting, controlling, treasury, tax, internal audit, legal and IT functions for 50+ group companies worldwide. Prior to Landis+Gyr, Mr. Spreiter was in charge of the global Center of Competence for commercial, industrial and grid electricity meters, located in Zug, Switzerland and held senior executive positions with Siemens.

About Landis+Gyr

Landis+Gyr is the leading provider of integrated energy management solutions tailored to energy company needs. With a global presence and a reputation for quality and innovation, Landis+Gyr is unique in its ability to deliver true end-to-end advanced metering solutions. Today, the Company offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry, and is paving the way for the next generation of smart grid. With annualized sales of more than US$1.25 billion, Landis+Gyr operates in 30 countries across five continents, and employs over 5,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better.

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